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RISD Academic Calendar Options for 2010-2011 |
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The RISD Board of Trustees has approved two versions of the RISD Academic Calendar for 2010-2011. The two options are very similar except that in Option 1, the secondary semester exams would occur prior to the winter break; in Option 2, exams would occur after the winter break. As always, the District greatly values staff and community input. Please send calendar input to Patti Kieker, Deputy Superintendent, at patti.kieker@risd.org or via US mail at 400 S. Greenville Avenue, Richardson, TX 75081.
Click here to download Option 1.
Click here to download Option 2. >Top |
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Will to Win |
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TWO RISD Schools Nominated by TEA as Blue Ribbon Schools |
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Dover Elementary and Lake Highlands Junior High are the latest RISD campuses to be nominated by TEA for prestigious National Blue Ribbon school status.
Schools nominated for the award serve as models of best practices for schools across the state.
The U.S. Department of Education will announce winners in September.
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Superintendent Bukhair Receives service above self Award |
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RISD Superintendent Dr. Carolyn Bukhair was honored this month by Richardson’s three Rotary Clubs during the Richardson Chamber of Commerce Business and Industry Awards Luncheon. Rotary International's Service Above Self Award is given to Rotarians or individuals who have rendered exemplary service consistent with Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self. It is Rotary's highest honor for a Rotarian or individual.
Dr. Bukhair has provided exemplary leadership in her 37 years in the field of education, including 29 years with the Richardson Independent School District, and her commitment to her community through service in various organizations like the Richardson Women’s Club, Northwood Woman’s Club, Youth Services Council, and Richardson Adult Literacy Center.
Congratulations Dr. Bukhair! >Top |
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Forestridge Elementary’s Multicultural Night: Celebrating Diversity |
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Written By: Evan Perry and Nicholas Lemon
Third Graders at Forestridge Elementary
Imagine a night where families from over 13 different countries come together to share food and dance from their native homelands while dressed in traditional clothing. How awesome it is for everyone to enjoy each other’s friendship.
At the annual Forestridge Elementary Multicultural Night, each family brought food from their native country to share with the other families. There was food from the Philippines, Mexico, Vietnam, China, Peru, Ethiopia, Laos, Columbia, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ireland, USA, India, and Costa Rica. Everyone who dressed in their traditional clothing looked awesome, but the winners of the Traditional Dress Contest were the Dube family from Ethiopia.
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After the great meal, the multicultural dances started. Kindergarteners did a dance from Denmark called, “The Shoemakers Dance.” It was done with sticks. First Graders did a dance from Hawaii called, “Hawaiian Roller Coaster.” It is a hand game dance done with partners. Second Graders danced to an Italian dance called, “Tarantella.” This dance used bean bags. Then, everyone joined together to do the “Carwash” dance from the U.S.A.
Multicultural Night rocked! >Top |
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Veteran's Day at mohawk elementary |
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Mohawk Elementary students and staff welcomed veterans to school on November 11 to thank them for their service.
The school assembled around the flagpole and patriotic music played while the boy scouts and cub scouts raised the flag.
Everyone then said the pledge, and students were told about the meaning of Veteran’s Day. The event concluded with students, staff and special guests all singing the National Anthem.
Thanks Veterans! >Top |
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High school gym lights have gone green |
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RISD Facility Services and Energy Management staff recently completed the final gym light upgrades. The last installation was the large gym at Berkner High School, where the old 1,000 watt fixtures were replaced with new T-5 fluorescent fixtures that use less than half the energy.
Along with instant start capability, the new lights distribute light more evenly and last longer. In all district gyms but one, motion sensors have also been installed to save additional energy.
RISD continues to look for ways to cut resource consumption in all facilities.
>Top |
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MPE Teacher wins Eco educator award |
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Merriman Park - Outdoor Learning Coordinator Sheridon Stringer was surprised by WFAA's Alexa Conomos last week with news that she had won the WFAA Project Green Eco-Educator Award.
Stringer was one of three RISD finalists for the award.
Congratulations! >Top |
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LHHS Drummers take National Honors
Last week, two of our Lake Highlands High School's percussionists traveled to Indianapolis to compete in the PASIC, Percussive Arts Society International convention, with their drum solos.
Junior Greyson Morgan finished fourth in the nation with his snare drum solo.
Senior Jordan Brooks finished first in the nation with his original tenor drum solo that he wrote and performed himself. This makes Jordan Brooks the National Tenor Drum Champion, a first in Lake Highlands history.
An All State First for LHHS
Senior Garrett Wingfield, has become the first student ever from LHHS to be named to the Texas All State Jazz Band.
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Wingfield will play tenor saxophone in the All State Band when it performs for the Texas Music Educators Association in February. Winning a spot in the All State Jazz Band is one of the most competitive achievements in fine arts education in the state, because students from across the state vie for positions in just one small ensemble.
Drum Line wins again
The drum line of the LHHS Wildcat Marching Band continued its fall winning streak by placing third overall in the Lone Star Classic in Lewisville this month.
The Wildcat drum line also was named Best Tenor Line in the competition. Drum line leader Jordan Brooks placed first in the competition for tenor soloists for the second consecutive year. Percussionists Wesley Shephard and Greyson Morgan placed fifth and sixth respectively in the snare solo competition.
The Lone Star Classic is considered one of the most prestigious drum line competitions in the state, drawing competitors from the top high school bands in North and Central Texas.
Previously this year, the Lake Highlands drum line placed first at the Plano East Drum Line Contest, taking top honors for Best Snare Line, Best Bass Line and Best Tenor Soloist.
Wildcat Band Concludes Successful Marching Season
The Lake Highlands High School Wildcat Marching Band has concluded a successful season of competition and entertainment with its 2009 show, "Original Gangster."
The Wildcat Band placed as a finalist in three major marching band competitions-the Duncanville Marching Invitational, the Plano East Marching Invitational and the Birdville Marching Festival. The band also received straight "ones," the highest honor given in the University Interscholastic League regional competition.
"Original Gangster" combined the music of old gangster movies with the music of modern rap to create a high-energy program of both musical and visual appeal.
The band is directed by Jeff Bradford, Tate Fincher, Mark Lara, James LaBrecque and Danny Martinez. >Top |
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BHS STeps up their Spirit game with the BHS untouchables |
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The home to numerous school groups, Berkner has added a new and unique form of school spirit. The Untouchables are a group of students that specialize in a form of entertainment called “step.” What is step? Step is a form of movement where rhythmic beats and sounds are made using only the hands and feet, and often chants and calls are involved.
The BHS Untouchables are comprised of 24 sophomore, junior, and senior students. There was much buzz and anticipation about the new step team at the end of the last school year, and many did not know what to expect. With three performances in front of the Berkner student body and staff under their belt, the crowd response to the Untouchables has been overwhelming. Students, teachers, and staff alike are all blown away by their new Berkner Untouchables and their talent as a whole. |
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| With the word of the new “team on the block” spreading quickly, the Untouchables have already been invited to participate in two step competitions, perform at several elementary school functions, and other BHS events. >Top |
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Hamilton Park supports Big Brother / Big Sister |
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Northlake artist showcased at art teachers convention |
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Northlake Elementary was proud to have one of their student's artwork showcased to represent RISD at the recent Texas State Art Teachers Convention this past week.
This mosaic was made by a talented first grader at Northlake. The title of the piece is "Tiny Seed." >Top |
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PHS and RHS host TAFE Region X Student Conference |
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Wells Fargo
Thanks to Wells Fargo for their generous donation of $1,000 to Forest Meadow Junior High Communities In Schools program.
These funds will be used to help provide food for FMJH families in need throughout the year.
Richardson Chamber's Young Professionals Organization
The Richardson Chamber's Young Professionals Organization recently painted recreational and educational games for Aikin Elementary’s play area.
The games included 4-square, two ten diagrams which are used for Math classes, a ven diagram for Language Arts classes, a US map, and AIKIN EAGLES for school spirit.
Thanks to this dynamic group for their time and continued support. >Top |
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SCHOOL TIMES NOW! ARCHIVE |
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Did you miss an issue of School Times Now!? Click here to view the archives. >Top |
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